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Made during the early years of the movie musical, this exuberant revue was one of the most extravagant, eclectic, and technically ambitious Hollywood productions of its day. Starring the bandleader Paul Whiteman, then widely celebrated as the King of Jazz, the film drew from Broadway variety shows to present a spectacular array of sketches, performances by such acts as the Rhythm Boys (featuring a young Bing Crosby), and orchestral numbers—all lavishly staged by veteran theater director John Murray Anderson. Presented here in the most complete form possible and restored to its original early-Technicolor glory, King of Jazz offers a fascinating snapshot of the way mainstream American popular culture viewed itself at the dawn of the 1930s.
Original Release
04/20/1930
US Release
04/20/1930
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Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Paul Whiteman | Paul Whiteman |
| John Boles | 'It Happened in Monterey') / Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn' |
| Laura La Plante | Quartet Member, 'Nellie' / Editor ('Ladies of the Press') / Stenographer ('In Conference') |
| Jeanette Loff | 'A Bench in the Park') / Vocalist ('It Happened in Monterey' / 'Bridal Veil' |
| Glenn Tryon | Husband ('A Dash of Spice') / Executive ('In Conference') / Unmarried Husband |
| William Kent | Man in Closet ('A Dash of Spice') / General ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Goldfish Owner ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Unmarried Couple's Offspring / Meek Husband ('Do Things For You') / Vocal ('Do Things For You') |
| Slim Summerville | Charles / Automobile Owner ('Springtime') / Rear End of Horse |
| The Rhythm Boys | Vocal Group |
| Harry Barris | One of the Rhythm Boys |
| Bing Crosby | One of the Rhythm Boys) / Trio Singer (as The Rhythm Boys) |
Directors
John Murray Anderson, Walter Lantz
Writers
Harry Ruskin, Edward T. Lowe Jr., Charles MacArthur
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Paul Whiteman | Paul Whiteman |
| John Boles | 'It Happened in Monterey') / Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn' |
| Laura La Plante | Quartet Member, 'Nellie' / Editor ('Ladies of the Press') / Stenographer ('In Conference') |
| Jeanette Loff | 'A Bench in the Park') / Vocalist ('It Happened in Monterey' / 'Bridal Veil' |
| Glenn Tryon | Husband ('A Dash of Spice') / Executive ('In Conference') / Unmarried Husband |
| William Kent | Man in Closet ('A Dash of Spice') / General ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Goldfish Owner ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Unmarried Couple's Offspring / Meek Husband ('Do Things For You') / Vocal ('Do Things For You') |
| Slim Summerville | Charles / Automobile Owner ('Springtime') / Rear End of Horse |
| The Rhythm Boys | Vocal Group |
| Harry Barris | One of the Rhythm Boys |
| Bing Crosby | One of the Rhythm Boys) / Trio Singer (as The Rhythm Boys) |
| Al Rinker | One of the Rhythm Boys |
| Kathryn Crawford | Wife ('A Dash of Spice') / Fourth Reporter ('Ladies of the Press') |
| Carla Laemmle | Chorine (as Beth Laemmle) / Chorine |
| Stanley Smith | 'A Bench in the Park') / Bridegroom ('Bridal Veil' |
| George Chiles | 'Ragamuffin Romeo') / Dancer ('It Happened in Monterey' / Vocalist 'A Bench in the Park' |
| Jack White | Jack White - Monologue / Jack White |
| Frank Leslie | Quartet Lead Singer ('Nellie') |
| Walter Brennan | Quartet Member ('Nellie') / Desk Sergeant ('Springtime') / Soldier ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Waiter ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Front End of Horse |
| Churchill Ross | Quartet Member ('Nellie') |
| John Arledge | Quartet Member ('Nellie') (as Johnson Arledge) / First Pianist at Giant Piano ('Rhapsody in Blue') / Quartet Member ('Nellie') |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Carl Laemmle Jr. | Producer |
Editors
